South Sudan Travel Guide

South Sudan runs a tiered visa system, a small group of neighboring states enter visa free, many African nationalities can apply for an e-Visa online, and most other visitors, including US citizens, need an e-Visa secured before travel, there is no visa on arrival for Americans specifically. Where a visa on arrival does apply to other nationalities, it is issued only at Juba International Airport, with the fee paid in crisp US dollar cash, and a passport needs six months of validity with one blank visa page. The e-Visa system is described as fast, with an approved PDF visa downloadable within 72 hours of approval.

The security situation carries a Level 4, Do Not Travel advisory from the US as of 17 May 2026, and similar guidance from the UK and Australia, citing armed violence, criminality, unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, and landmines. Violent crime, carjackings, shootings, ambushes, and kidnappings, is described as common throughout the country, Juba included, and if the security situation worsens, routes in and out can be blocked entirely, with the airport itself closing or becoming inaccessible and flights cancelled at short notice.